I would love some input on this find. It was found in a winter camp. I found some camp lead and a NY cuff mere feet from the star. It has some kind iron attachment that is pretty much rusted away, and has pushed through to the other side like you commonly see in breast plates with the loops. The brass has taken a beating over the years. It is about 1.3" wide and only 7/100" (.07") thick. Given the thickness I would think it was decrative in nature. When I look through any relic books I don't see any 6 pointed stars in any section other then the corp badge section so it doesn't appear that is was a common to use that style of star back then. I would love for it to be a corp badge but I have a feeling that it's not to be.


The picture has the back side on the left, front on the right.

So your input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

looks like a colonial saddle decoration i have found several in a colonial homesite

Same size, same hole, same nipple shapes on the ends of the points, same convex dome you described.

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=16623&cat=all



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2012 05:21PM by umrgolf.

NO, mine is almost 7mm smaller and nowhere near as concave or convex depending how you look at it



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/11/2012 12:32AM by riosao.

I can't prove to you any more than I have what the piece ISNT.

You asked for input on the piece, you even end your first post saying you think its not to be.

Well, it isn't, wasn't and WON'T EVER BE a corps badge. Just like Streak pointed out, a lot of folks always hope for or try to make their finds seem like something they aren't.

You saying its 7mm smaller, yet admittedly stated the area "trashes brass", yet with the same explanation you are trying to prove how the points aren't rounded. Think about that one for a little while.

You found a very corroded star-shaped 18th century furniture escutcheon, aka drawer pull piece. I've yet to see a corps badge attached via square iron spike.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/11/2012 12:50AM by umrgolf.

Awards, Badges, Medals of the period

Richard

---

treasure depot = Banned for Life & PROUD of it

Wouldn't they have soldered a pin or some type of T-bar assembly on the edge(s)? I can't understand the purpose of a rectangular hole in the center.

Richard, Thank you for the reply, that pretty much puts the debate to bed in my mind. I have a hard time arguing with a guy who took the time to do the research and publish a book on corp badges. It almost looks like the same guy could have made the one in the book as well as the one I found. Once again thanks, you made my day!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2012 11:21PM by riosao.

yours obviously had an iron rod of some sort thru it, which in my mind lends creedence to the furniture hardware ID. A badge of any sort would have had a pin of some sort, or just a simple hole where it was sewn on.
The size, shape, convex shape and attachment of yours is pretty much exactly what I'd expect to see in a backing for an 18C ornate drawer pull. A square- rectangular hole seals the deal for me. The hole design keeps it from spinning. We'd like ALL our finds to be something cool, but unfortunately it aint always so. The books are FULL of mis-identified finds. I wish yours WAS a badge, but I'm gonna have to side with Umergolf on this one. you'll probably disagree with me, but its your find. Call it what you want! Streak!

I appreciate your candor, and I appreciate that you allow me to have my own opinion. I further appreciate the fact that you don't talk in absolutes, that's what allows one to have thier own opinion with out felling like an opposing view is being shoved down your throat. Anyway I digress. From what I can tell at this point it all boils down to the tiny blob of iron stuck in the middle of this star, since iron is the nemisis of many a metal detectorist (except for one certain individual I know, you know who you are), the irony is unbelievable. Realizing this I have further cleaned the thing paying close attention to the area around the iron to see if I could get any answers. Instead I am left confused, while the front side has an elipitical appearance leading one to believe there might have been a rectangle there originally, the back appears to be round, leading one to think the hole was round originally. At this point the only way to tell would be to remove the iron and even then I am not sure you would get any answer, not to mention the removal might cause more damage then good. So the way I see it you are left to your own opinion, either one, in my opinion requires, a leap of faith.

With this said I am done with this piece, I have ran this through my head to the point of disgust, THIS IS THE LAST THING I WILL POST ABOUT THIS PIECE ON HERE. As for the rest you feel free to comment, just know if it's directed at me I won't be reading it.

I'm sure you will read this, I just doubt you'll reply.

Obviously the first few sentences were aimed at me, and that's fine. The reason I've said what I have is because its not a matter of opinion any longer. It's clear what you've dug, and why would I sit here and pretend like its something else? It's simply a matter of looking at the link I've posted. All you do is keep spinning on the matter, first it's "perfectly convex" and now its "not even close" to blah blah blah blah....

I've talked with a couple who are in total agreement, yet they prefer to avoid controversy. Personally, I'm still here because I wanted to expose the fact that you already had your mind made up before you posted the drawer pull piece and really weren't interested in any input.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/11/2012 07:41AM by umrgolf.

"Brass 6-pt star
Is a furniture piece, the drawer pull went through the hole."

I had a private conversation with him about this piece, as he has dug several similar items in England. There is no doubt about what it is.

This message does not contain any text.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 11:14PM by umrgolf.

While it may have served the same purpose, it is not identical. The best way I can put it is that each of the points on yours has a petal like shape, mine does not have that shape. If you look at mine there are straight edges and do not have the curve yours has. The ones that are not perfectly straight I am pretty sure it is due to the ground action it has seen over the years, the brass that has come out this area has been trashed this piece included.

They even have the same exact rectangular hole going through the center? When I dug mine I thought I'd never see another. Anyway, I'm gonna leave this one alone.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 11:33PM by umrgolf.

This message does not contain any text.

---

James A. Farley

This message does not contain any text.

As for it being a rowel that was my first thought when I dug the thing. Then I kinda eliminated that for a few reasons. The primary reason is that it is not flat. It is kinda hard to describe in words but the thing is convex from the front, and it is perfectly convex. It's not bent, the best way to put it is that if you lay the star down on a flat surface every point will touch perfectly. I guess what I am getting at is everything is to perfect to be hand made including the convex nature of it. Some people who have seen it in the flesh thought the same thing at first and have eliminated that thought for the exact same reason. Bottom line it is not flat and it didn't accidentally become that way it was made to be convex. I guess it is possible to be a rowel but I highly doubt it.

There is one in Crouch's book made from a U.S bit boss, and I've seen them recovered made from coins, all star shaped.

it would make sense as to why iron going through the center. Who knows, and the owner of a "whatisit" can call it whatever they want. Since the question was aked, I lean towards a field made spur rowell as well. JMO, and I hope the finder of this wonderful relic finds out for sure.....

There is no doubt about what mine is. http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=16623&cat=all



His is the same exact size as mine. Here's what mine looks like next to a spur.

Good deal.....always nice to get some sort of confirmation to set ones mind at ease...pretty cool dig!

This message does not contain any text.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 11:15PM by umrgolf.

This message does not contain any text.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2012 11:16PM by umrgolf.

Rob,

One thing Dan and I both have forgotten to mention is that it is not flat. It is convex (from the front) and the area it came from is awful on brass . The buttons that have came from that area are trashed. I think what you are seeing as crudeness is actually the decay of the brass. As for the smooth badges you are dead on. I think I have seen more like that then not. Who knows I seem to be the master of finding crap that no one has any idea of what it is. Can't I just find some 3 ringers and some eagle buttons.

This message does not contain any text.

STARTING IN THE 1830S SOME OF THE US DRAGOONS HAD A 6 POINTED STAR ON THEIR HAT, SEE O DONNELLS BOOK ON INSIGNIA THEY HAVE A PHOTO OF A HAT WITH THIS STYLE STAR AG

This message does not contain any text.

---

~~ "There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy's life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure." Mark Twain ~~

Just because it doesn't match anything in the "books" doesen't mean much when it comes to camp made stuff! I have seen corps badges with absolutely no type of attachment whatsoever .... ... I seem to remember some 2nd corps "badges" that were dug at a recent DIV that were slick as baby bottoms on both sides.

---

~~ "There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy's life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure." Mark Twain ~~